The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-19
AT THE MERCY OF THE GANG.
How the Insane Hospital Is Being Misman-
aged by an Unscrupulously Partisan Board.

The report of the way things are going on at
the Hospital for the Insane, with Harrison and
Gapen still at the head of affairs is not calcu-
those persons. The annual appropriation for
the maintenance of the institution is $3.50 OOO or
about s2l, 900 month. At the investigation by
the committee Of the House OF Representatives
last winter there was found deficit of unpaid
debts for the year ending October, 1886, of over
$40, 600, which had been concealed in order to
make a showing of economy. The institution
under the Harrison Gapen system, is running
behind again this year about the same amount
or will at the rate they are now going probably
increase the deficit to $l3, 900 or more.
A new employe has been put into the store
room. forcing out an old employee. a thoroughly
capable map, who gave testimony against the
Sullivan butter during las. winters investga-
ton. The new man, it is understood came
recommended by Senator Bailey deputy United
States attorney, and John E. Sullivan, lately
tried In the United States Court with others,
for the tally sheet conspiracy. There will not
be anv trouble in the future about receiving the
Sullivan butter at the Hospital for the Insane.
Some time ago an employe was caught stealing.
He discharged, bat having political in
fuence he was taken back, and is now employed
az the institution.
The dairy has practically been disposed of.
There were some sixty head of cattle Some of
them have been butchered some sold and hides
and talow have been disposed off. it is said,
without any record being made of the transac-
tons. Some of the horses have died. Dr. Har-
rson traded one of the horses fer COW in
Boone county and then killed the cow. Among
the political attendants is a man who comes up
with an odorous record, having been fined In
Brown county for public indecency. The ward
reports for June and July will show that great
deal of bad butter is again being supplied to the
institution by DR.. Harrisons favorite caterers
Saturday night after the federal jury
ported their failure to agree in the taly-sheet
conspiracy cases, grand celebration and drunk
took place in the store-room of the hospital.
. The store-room is the residence of the store
keeper, J. S. Hail. Mr. Hail does not drink
and would not have tolerated festivities of this
kind unless they were forced upon his premises by
persons of superior authority at the institution.
This brings up the question to who paid for
the celebration. One of the hospital physicians,
as is well known, visited the federal building
almost every day while the conspiracy trial was
going on and took deep interest in the matter.
After the celebration quarrel took place, and
one of the participants, young man, is angry
that he proposes to tell all about the poll books
and other curious matters connected with the
November election at Mt. Jackson. with the part
taken therein by officers of the Indiana Hospital
for the Insane.
DR.. Browning's dismissal was not connected
with the discharge of a male attendant for kick
ing an epileptic patient, but he was discharged
because he would not make room for q Demo-
cratic legislator DR.. Browning first made
himself disliked by recommending the discharge
of the son of DR.. Howard, who was employed at
the institution. DR.. Howard member of
tho last Legis lature. The true reason for Dr.
Browning's discharge lies in the fact that this
legislator wanted the Doctors position himself
Harrison and Gapen asked the Doctor TO resign
in order that Senator Howard might step into
his shoes assistant physician. DR.. Browning
refused to resign for that purpose, but the board
forced him out.